Spinor-EPG: an improved EPG algorithm for fast simulation of the non-ideal slice-profile effect in MRF

Motivation: Non-ideal RF slice-profile can affect the accuracy of MRF. However, correcting this effect in dictionary simulation is time-consuming. Goal(s): To propose an improved simulation algorithm which can correct the RF slice-profile effect in MRF simulation accurately and efficiently. Approach: We propose an improved MRF simulation method which combines the spinor rotation representation and the extended-phase-graph(EPG) algorithm. The proposed method is validated by retrospective experiments on brain T1 and T2 maps, compared with the EPG algorithm. Results: The proposed method can correct the non-ideal slice profile effect in MRF dictionary simulation with much faster computational speed. Impact: We propose an improved simulation algorithm for MRF simulation, which is able to correct non-ideal slice-profile and is as efficient as the EPG algorithm. The proposed method may be helpful for all kinds of MRF imaging applications.